SMR | Chapter 124

~Chapter 124~

It was too interesting to ignore as just someone else’s problem.

James seemed mesmerized by the dazzling beauty of his former fiancée, while Bella, though clearly aware of Daphne, pretended not to notice. She seemed oblivious to her fiancé’s behavior.

And Daphne appeared to have let go of all past emotions, showing no trace of regret.

Her shoulders and chest were confidently held high, and her laughter, exchanged while greeting acquaintances, was completely natural.

When they had danced together at the Laurel family’s party before, Harriet had noticed that, despite Daphne’s fragile appearance, she had a surprisingly strong side.

The orchestra, which had briefly stopped, started playing again.

“Hm. I wonder who Daphne Laurel will dance with.”

As Edgar watched with interest, Bella and James proudly linked arms and made their way to the center of the ballroom to dance the waltz. Some of Bella’s friends clapped lightly and praised them.

However, no one had yet asked Daphne to dance.

“If it’s not a crazy guy like you, it must be intimidating to ask Daphne Laurel to dance. She’ll be the center of attention.”

“Well, if that’s the case, then this crazy guy will have to step in.”

With that, Edgar quickly got up and left.

Cedric, now used to Edgar’s antics, casually picked up a grape from the table and ate it.

“Oh, look, it’s Edgar Dawson again!”

“Are they really dating?”

People around them were whispering as they watched Edgar and Daphne.

Cedric smiled and took a sip of champagne, but then he paused when he saw Edgar’s expression while dancing with Daphne.

‘Hm?’

Something was different.

The ‘crazy’ Edgar Dawson, whom Cedric knew, was always kind to women but never actually interested in them. He was the kind of person who could be described as a narcissist—he never really cared about others.

But now, Edgar’s expression… it was hard to understand, but it seemed oddly embarrassed. If anything, it looked more like he was shy, but Cedric didn’t want to attach such childish emotions to Edgar.

‘Has he really lost his mind?’

He was so shocked that he forgot to drink his champagne, and the people around him were reacting similarly.

“Bella is pretty, but today it looks like Daphne is the winner. She’s just so beautiful.”

“Well, Dawson is no less impressive than Cheslow. Both families are renowned, and he’s even a close friend of Duke Kailas.”

“I’ve never heard any rumors about them dating… Maybe their families are arranging a marriage?”

People were paying more attention to Edgar and Daphne than to James and Bella.

“Hm.”

Cedric took his gaze away from his friend’s embarrassing situation and took another sip of his drink.

As he turned his head, someone entered the ballroom.

Everyone was too focused on the waltz in the center to pay attention to her entrance, but Cedric couldn’t take his eyes off her.

‘Harriet.’

It was her.

His beloved partner, who had recently been labeled as a greedy woman and a fraud.

Cedric knew just how much courage it must have taken her to show up here today, and his teeth clenched in sympathy.

But despite his sympathy, Harriet’s appearance today was more beautiful than anyone else’s.

‘It’s hard to believe green suits someone so well.’

She was wearing a light green muslin off-shoulder dress with a diamond necklace.

Her outfit wasn’t flashy, but to Cedric, it seemed perfect. Especially for this event.

‘She should stay for just a little longer. The eyes of the crowd will be harsh for a while.’

He was worried.

No matter how bold and brave Harriet was, enduring the simultaneous judgment and disdainful stares of so many people couldn’t be easy.

Cedric almost wished the waltz would last longer. It would be better if people focused more on the dance than on her.

But contrary to Cedric’s desire for Harriet to remain less noticeable, she was walking toward the center of the ballroom, cutting through the crowd as though she didn’t know about the gossip surrounding her.

Naturally, people began to recognize her.

“Wait, isn’t that Harriet Listerwell?”

“Oh my! She actually came here?”

“She’s bold, isn’t she? But how else could she think she could fool everyone?”

And at just that moment, the waltz came to an end.

With applause and shouts of “Bravo!” the guests stopped dancing, exchanging greetings and catching their breath.

Bella noticed Harriet at that moment.

“Huh?”

She couldn’t help but gasp as she saw Harriet.

Everyone who had been watching her turned their heads to follow Bella’s gaze and realized that Harriet had arrived.

Their expressions shifted, but Bella was secretly delighted, as though she had received an unexpected gift.

‘What’s going on? I’ve never been this happy to see her.’

The party atmosphere had already started to irritate her.

Daphne had been walking around without paying any attention, Edgar had asked her to dance again, and other men seemed more interested in Daphne than in her.

At times like this, Harriet’s arrival was actually a good thing for Bella. The attention that had been on Daphne would shift to Harriet, and soon enough, people would pity and feel sorry for her.

Of course, the most enjoyable part for Bella was imagining Harriet’s fall from grace. The thought of her turning pale from all the pointing and criticism gave Bella a thrill.

But there was one thing that bothered her: Harriet’s expression, which seemed too calm for someone who must have known about the scandal.

‘Has she gotten thick-skinned? Is she trying to be shameless in a situation like this?’

That wasn’t too bad. She could just continue stepping on someone who didn’t know their place.

In fact, Bella didn’t even need to do it herself.

“Isn’t she afraid of divine punishment? Selling the name of God like that.”

“Yeah, she’s exploiting the monks of the monastery too. That young woman is something else.”

The attacks on Harriet had already begun.

Bella folded her arms and secretly enjoyed the scene as she watched.

The criticism was loud enough to reach Harriet’s ears.

But Harriet only took a drink, without showing any change in expression.

Then, Daphne approached Harriet.

“Harriet!”

“Daphne! I’m a bit late, aren’t I? If I had come a little earlier, I would have been able to watch your beautiful waltz for a bit longer.”

Edgar, who had been following Daphne around as her dance partner, nodded enthusiastically.

“Dancing with Daphne feels like dancing with a fairy. Not even a butterfly could move as beautifully as she does. By the way, I’m sorry for the late introduction, Harriet. You look beautiful as always. I think my eyes might go blind from the two of you today.”

The exaggerated compliments made both Daphne and Harriet laugh awkwardly.

Their natural attitude created a subtle atmosphere around them. While people felt they could still insult and mock Harriet, Daphne and Edgar were too well-regarded to be treated in such a way.

It would be like mocking their judgment if they openly criticized Harriet.

‘Daphne Laurel might be trying to get closer to Harriet because I’m engaged to James, but why is Edgar Dawson involved in this?’

Bella quietly bit her lip.

As she was contemplating, the orchestra stopped playing and began adjusting their instruments. Soon, a grand and elegant piece started.

“The Emperor is arriving!”

At the servant’s announcement, all the nobles in the ballroom stood up and turned toward the entrance.

The door opened, and the Emperor, followed by the Empress and the Crown Prince and his wife, entered in sequence. The unwed princes followed, and people bowed or curtsied to show their respect.

“It’s been a while since we’ve seen so many familiar faces. Thank you for attending.”

With a friendly tone, the Emperor nodded at everyone and gave a brief, typical speech, wishing for everyone’s health and the prosperity of the empire.

Then, the banquet continued.

While everyone drank their beverages and whispered behind their fans, Countess Sheldon approached Anastasia and spoke loudly.